Thanksgiving Mantel

 Hi there and welcome to Fox Hollow!

  As I’m sure many of you are, I’m busy getting our house prepared for Thanksgiving. We’ll be hosting again this year, and I want everything to look it’s best. So far, I’ve put together a pretty casual mantel. I used lots of thrifted finds, a little bit of this and a pinch of that.

  Oh! and the rag garland my mom made and sent me. She is so sweet. She made one as a display for my sisters shop and I just adored it, so she made me on as well. I’m so lucky!!!! It’s perfect, and set the whole mantel “look” (for lack of a better word) in motion. Here it is…

Our Late Fall ~ Thanksgiving Mantel

  To decorate the mantel, I started with one of the old windows we salvaged when we replaced our original windows here at the cottage. I’m so glad I was able to hold on to so many of them. We had 23, and I was able to share some with friends as well. You may recognize this one, I used it the year before last year on our Valentines mantel.

 I didn’t have much of a plan after that, I just hunted and pecked and stole a few things from here and there. I have favorites, like the silver tray that I could have ten of. You know that perfect thing that looks good everywhere? I layered it up and moved things about until I was happy with the visual weight of it.

I’m still using the branches I trash picked from the guy across the ways big brush pick up pile last year. Handiest things ever I tell ya, I have used the heck out of those!! Hey, we have a ton of tress on our property, but they are all evergreens. No Fall color. No fun. When I saw those big branches out there with all that perfect Fall color, I just walked my happy butt back in the house and grabbed some pruners. I am sure anyone driving by wondered what on earth I was doing.

My white ceramic owl was 50 cents… and I love him all the more for it. All the silvery stuff has been picked up on the cheap at thrift stores and the like. I don’t care if it’s silver or silver plate. Shiny or tarnished. I’m not fancy, I like it all equally. Then there are my “always present somewhere” white wood candle sticks. They are on the mantel again now that Halloween is over. You might remember them from the early Fall mantel I shared in September.

Click here to view our early Fall mantel and home tour.

You’ll also spy a vintage Ball mason jar with some pine cones, a 50 cent vintage ruler, a Goodwill urn that I gave a new life with some Maison Blanche paint in Magnolia and some chunky candle sticks from Goodwill and Ross. All doctored up with some combination of paint, stain and/or wax to get them just right!

 All leading to my crown jewel. A raggedy, fabric garland that reminds me of a gypsy skirt. My mantel is ready to dance around the fire and kick up her heels! Twirly and swirling. This garland is rich with texture and sheen from the variety of fabrics used. And I think it glows a little, being made with love from my mom. I’m feeling a wee bit sappy, with the holidays coming. Excuse me!

 I use ornaments all year round. I’ve got a few that add that perfect little something. This mercury glass one is just the right shape to accent my garland.

 The faux Fall branches are from a local shop, Katrina Kathleen’s. They light up too. So cute. Mixed in with some real logs and branches they are right at home. I like that they will last from year to year. I know I’m going to get lots of use out of them! I can tell already.

 Some pumpkins and my giant rope bundle complete the hearth. I got that rope for A$5 at a tag sale. The texture is off the charts fab. I’ve got it setting in a old gym locker basket and that might be all the more I ever do with it.

 Mercury glass is so pretty.. but it can be very expensive. To me anyhow. So, I pick it up when I find it reasonably priced. The large pumpkin (that lights up) is from HomeGoods and was only $16.99 which I though was a great price. The wee pumpkin was $4.99 and I think the gourd was $7’ish I think. After awhile, it’s hard to remember. The glittery pumpkin was created with Maison Blanche paint, vintage mica glitter, Martha Stewart glitter and metallic paint. It’s so magic-y looking. I like shiny stuff. In case you didn’t notice.

 Almost forgot. My newest pillow. Donna Karen. Sequins. Clearance! HomeGoods. Preaching it ladies… $6.00! Don’t hate me. hahaha. It’s divine. It looks great nestled with my other new pillow… I know. I’m sick. The fur was just to much to walk by. I’m going to control myself. Really I am. HomeGoods is a 2 hour drive each way though, so I save up to visit and I usually splurge a little bit. My home is pretty much my only vice, and my only splurge though. So it’s okay.

Happy-Happy-Happy {almost} Holidays to you!!

Thanksgiving Mantel

PS: The fur pillow and thrown are faux. Just so you know.

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